Sunday Story - From Ashok

I had mentioned about the ashram visit earlier in my blog. Click here to read it. We had super fun. My friend Ashok, who organised the whole lot, wrote this mail to all of us. Wanted to post it.

"Sometimes we feel that we are small and helpless and we cannot do anything to make the world a better place to live in. What you say and what you do, does make a difference. It is not the famous or 'big' people who really make a difference to our world. But those who are very ordinary like you and me, those who feel a need to do something for others.

As Sunday, 26th March dawned bright and sunny, we a group of 13 volunteers gathered for a cause in Andhra Mahila Sabha, a place for 160(approx) kids (mentally / physically challenged) studying below 10th Std. They provide the kids with food, education, medication & shelter. We sponsored the breakfast, evening snack and the dinner for the day.

11:30 AM

We kick started the day with drawing competitions for the 7th, 8th & 9th Std students. The enthusiasm, zeal & skill they displayed was far beyond words can explain.

1:00 PM

With a prayer song from the kids, we started to serve them with the lunch.

2:30 PM

Few of our friends started applying mehendhi and nail polish for all the girls out there. We guys split ourselves with the boys and were talking/chatting and catching up with them. The girls got so excited getting their nails polished and seeing the mehndi. This is when we gotta know more about them, their hobbies, their favorite movie stars etc.

I have to make a special mention about Narashimalu who was there, who has been featured in Sun TV & Jaya TV for his oustanding determination. He showed us few samples which he had done in Macromedia FLASH. All animations. He's done his 6 months course in APTECH. He's physically challenged and he used only his legs to do all this. He was operating the mouse, using his toe! Not only this, he has also mastered the art of painting. The paintings which he showed us were master pieces. We were speechless. He also has ideas of exhibiting his paintings. We were all astonished to see the amount of determination he had to acheive things. On a personal note, I had goosebumps when I witnessed his capability

4:00 PM

It was time to serve the kids with some evening snack. We had ordered cakes for all the kids with some biscuits and choclates. With the snacks, we also announced the prize winners of the drawing competions. All the 10th Std kids were given Geometry boxes keeping in mind their board exams. All the kids were given a Pen, Pencil, Eraser and a sharpner.

In addition to the kids, there's another block wherein physically challenged women were given training on sewing, hand work etc. We went to that unit as well and distributed a set of Pen, Pencil, Eraser and a sharpner. Since we kept this unit also in mind whil ordering cakes, we had enough number of cakes to distribute.

Then it was time to say good bye to all of them. We had a great time with the kids out there. And am sure the kids too had a great time with us. With no mood to part, we left the place leaving our hearts with the kids saying bye to all of us.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you from my bottom of my heart who have contributed generously for this noble cause. Last but not the least, I have no words to thank all the volunteers who spent ample time with all the kids.

My special thanks to Varma, who co-ordinated with all our onsite friends and managed to pull in 20,000 plus. Great Job dude! Varma, please forward this mail to all our friends at onsite.

Hats off to all of you.

WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

This is not D-end of story. We will be going to another ashram sometime soon. For all those who couldn't make it this time, don't worry, join us next time. Will keep you all posted.
Regards,

Ashok